11 Beautiful Hidden Gems in Edinburgh, Scotland Even Locals Don’t Know

Last Updated on the 4th of May, 2025

When you think of Edinburgh, iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse are likely to come to mind.

And rightfully so—these architectural marvels are timeless symbols of the city’s history.

While the top attractions are undeniably bucket list experiences for many visitors, they often come with a downside: swarms of tourists fighting for the perfect photo op, long queues, and the challenge of finding a quiet moment can leave even the most seasoned traveller feeling drained.

If you stroll beyond the bagpipers on the Royal Mile and break away from the whistlestop tours, you’ll embrace a different side of Edinburgh, one that can foster a much deeper connection to my beloved city.

Give yourself time to wander, and I can guarantee that you’ll find a myriad of delights, unexpected spaces, quirky shopping, dining and drinking experiences and a far greater sense of what truly makes this city tick.

With this blog post, I wanted to reveal some of the overlooked attractions, where you as a family, as a food lover, as an art and culture enthusiast, or even as a traveller with little time, fully get your money’s worth – without crowds and the typical “Been there, done that” talk!

So grab a cup of tea and let’s dive into the lesser-known side of Edinburgh!

White Horse Close is tucked away on the Royal Mile

Discover Hidden Gems in Edinburgh – Unveiling the City’s Best Kept Secrets

When I lived in Edinburgh, I set a goal to seek out as many hidden gems as I could find within the city.

While exploring the breadth and width of Edinburgh, I discovered many places still untouched by mass tourism and can’t wait to share some of them with you.

Discovering these hidden gems reminded me that there are many ways to turn an ordinary trip into an extraordinary adventure.

Venturing beyond the well-trodden tourist paths can lead you to unique opportunities to engage with the city you are visiting on a more intimate and rewarding level.

I’ve chosen eleven of the more interesting hidden gems that you can easily weave into your itinerary and make your visit to Edinburgh even more special!

Gardner’s Cottage can be found in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

#1. Walk the Scotsman Steps

If you are looking for a useful and a state of art shortcut between the old town’s Market Street and the central railway station, then look no further than the beautifully restored Scotsman Steps, originally built between 1899 and 1902 as part of the Scotsman building.

Before you rush up the winding staircase, pause for a moment to notice the soft hues underneath your feet that were created by Scottish artist Martin Creed with 104 different types of marble brought from various parts of the world.

The Scotsman Steps are a vital part of Edinburgh’s cityscape and, in a way, a perfect metaphor for the city’s two distinct halves.

When the Scotsman Steps were built in 1899, you would enter them from the poor part of town and emerge at a bridge that took you to the infinitely more wealthy New Town.

The Scotsman Steps – also known as The Market Street Steps – can be slippery if it’s been raining, and can be challenging for someone with knee problems, but hidden in plain sight, it’s a state-of-the-art place to visit.

Getting there: You’ll find the entrance right beside the Scotsman Hotel on North Bridge.

#2. Visit Dean Village to See St. Bernard’s Well

The peaceful village on the Water of Leith was once a prosperous hamlet with eleven working mills scattered on the city’s longest river.

While the village is no longer the hidden gem it once was, it is still worth visiting because several highlights, including the Dean Cemetery, Water of Leith, and the wonderful stone houses dating from the seventeenth century, give this part of Edinburgh a unique charm.

If you follow the Water of Leith from Dean Village to Stockbridge, you’ll find St. Bernard’s Well, once believed to have healing powers.

For nearly two centuries, people believed the mineral-rich spring water could cure a variety of ailments, including arthritis, muscle pain, and even blindness.

The ornate 18th-century structure is so incredible it’s almost hard to believe it was built for a well – the room has a decorative mosaic ceiling and a pump adorned with a Grecian vase.

*Good to know – The well is open to the public on certain days of the year, but you can still stop by to see the structure

#3. Step back in Time and visit Lauriston Castle

Edinburgh Castle may be at the top of any visitor’s wish list, but there are other palaces worth visiting.

Lauriston Castle, situated between Davidson’s Mains and Cramond, is perfect for stunning views across the Firth of Forth and for a relaxing atmosphere.

The castle was built in three phases for the Napier family, and the oldest part is a Tower House dating back to 1593. Nowadays, the castle is beautifully furnished in Edwardian style and open to the public.

The grounds are free to explore, and you can enjoy a walk around the beautiful gardens and views out to Cramond Island.

Getting There: You can take buses to Davidson’s Mains (21, 41 & 42), or Silverknowes Terminus (16, 27, 29 & 37); both are around a 10-minute walk from Lauriston Castle. The address: 2 Cramond Rd S, Edinburgh EH4 6AD, UK.

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 7.30am – 5 pm, Admission: Castle Admission Adult £8, Concessions £6, Under 5 free, For more detailed info, click here.

#4. Climb on St. Giles’ Cathedral roof

If stunning views are your thing, you will be blown away by what you can see from the roof of St Giles’ Cathedral.

St. Giles’ Cathedral has a vital role in the city’s cultural life as it hosts a wide variety of lectures, exhibitions, and concerts, and if you want to take a photo within the building, there’s a £2 charge.

If you are wondering what is so special about this particular place, as Scotland is full of beautiful churches and cathedrals, and what I loved most about St. Giles Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, they offer guided rooftop tours.

The ticket costs £6 per person, and all the bookings are taken on the day. Keep in mind that Rooftop tours currently take place on Saturday from 10.30am – 4pm and on Sunday from 1.30pm – 4pm.

Getting there: St Giles’ Cathedral is located on the Royal Mile, and its address is High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, UK.

Admission: Rooftop Tours Adult £6, for more detailed information, click here.

#5. Visit the Scottish Parliament

Located beside the Palace of Holyroodhouse and opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2004, the Scottish Parliament is the devolved legislature of Scotland.

While the creation was heavily criticised because its final cost was ten times higher than initial estimates, it is known for having one of the most innovative and controversial designs in Scotland and is a must-see on any Edinburgh itinerary for fans of modern architecture.

The front of the building is a mixture of steel, oak and granite, designed to look as if it is growing from the ground.

As well as admiring its unusual exterior, you can also go inside the parliament and visit the main rooms of the building, which are equally fascinating. The highlight is the debating chamber, which you can see empty on days when there are no sessions.

If you are interested in exploring the history of Scottish politics and the design of the building, you can book one of the guided tours. Otherwise, you are free to roam around.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber, Edinburgh.

#6. Stop By a Cemetery

Whether you are interested in the area’s history, the artwork of the tombs, or simply seeking out the inspiration behind some of the names in Harry Potter, Edinburgh’s graveyards have a few tales lurking between the headstones.

Here, among the heavily decorated mausoleums and tombstones belonging to scholars, lords and architects, you will surely find a familiar name.

One thing to look out for is watchtowers, which were used to keep grave robbers at bay.

There was a time when body snatching was rife due to a decrease in executions taking place and an increase in students wanting to learn about medical science and therefore needing cadavers to dissect.

The Old Calton Cemetery | is a burial of tradesmen and merchants. Here you can find artist David Allan, architect Robert Burns and publisher William Blackwood.

St Cuthbert’s Kirkyard | contains weathered slabs, crumbling mausoleums and ‘memento mori’ carvings in every direction you look. There’s an impressive memorial to the Reverend David Dickson, which dates from 1840.

Canongate Kirk | Located on the Royal Mile, east of the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate Kirk is the final resting place of poet Robert Fergusson, philosopher Dugald Stewart and town planner George Drummond.

#7. Go on a Self-Guided Trainspotting Tour

Phenomenally successful Trainspotting was first published in 1993, and the classic movie followed a few years later.

On the list of greatest British films, Trainspotting was ranked 10th best by the British Film Institute.

If you are a fan of the book, a movie or both, you can go on a self-guided tour to find Trainspotting filming locations.

You can start the tour with the main shopping street in Edinburgh – Princes Street.

Remember how in the film’s iconic opening sequence, with Renton’s famous ‘Choose Life’ speech playing as Spud and Renton leg it to escape the cops after stealing from John Menzies Bookstore? It was filmed on Princes Street.

Other filming locations worth checking out are:

Calton Street Bridge, where Renton is hit by the car.

Holyrood Park, where Mark takes a friend on a run around Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat.

The Great Hall of St Stephen’s in Stockbridge, where Spud attends a recovery group meeting.

Calton Road Bridge – one of the filming locations for the movie

#8. Be in awe of Mansfield Traquair Centre

Edinburgh’s version of the Sistine Chapel is this former church, with an interior covered in paintings done by the famous Phoebe Anna Traquair.

Located at the bottom of Broughton Street, the magnificent building, which was once a Catholic Apostolic Church, was designed by nineteenth-century architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson and completed in 1885.

The colourful murals were added in the 1890s. Sadly, they were neglected, and in 1993, a campaign was launched to save the murals.

Nowadays, it is used as an event space, catering to weddings and functions.

Although not open every day, it is well worth finding out when it is open as Phoebe Traquair’s murals are a vision of arts and crafts influenced beauty and were so nearly lost.

Opening Times: The centre has extended opening hours in August and during the Doors Open Days in autumn. Check their website for the latest info.

Address: 15 Mansfield Place

#9. Visit Gladstone’s Land on the Royal Mile

The six-storey tenement house, Glandstones Land, is one of the oldest buildings on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Despite its age and long history, the dwelling is very well preserved and maintained to this day.

Filled with antiques from the time, it gives a fascinating insight for those who are curious about how the wealthy went about their lives back in the 1800s.

The building takes its name from Thomas Gledstanes, a wealthy merchant and burgess of Edinburgh, who bought, remodelled and extended the property in an attempt to attract upper-class tenants for his well-decorated apartments, as well as for the tavern in the basement and the grocer and cloth shop located on the ground floor.

The most fascinating room is The Painted Chamber, which was built as part of his extension to the property in 1620. The curved ceiling is painted with vibrant scenes depicting flowers, animals, and fruit. The walls are painted with friezes showing vases of flowers under rounded arches.

The effect is simply stunning and really brings to life the world of a prosperous 17th-century merchant.

Opening hours: House 10.00–15.00 (self-guided tours until 14.30; guided tour at 15.00)

Entry price: Adult £10.00

#10. Visit the 16th-century Magdalen Chapel

It’s easy to pass by Magdalen Chapel, a 16th-century chapel with hardly a second glance.

But the unassuming chapel is worth stopping for to see the only surviving pre-Reformation stained glass that offers a literal window into the past.

The chapel is located on the Cowgate, a moody street dotted with nightclubs, bars, and hostels that stretches across the bottom level of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

It’s a spot that’s frequently missed by any visitors buzzing between the more popular sights on the nearby Royal Mile and Candlemaker Row.

Opening times: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., though it’s best to get in touch with the Scottish Reformation Society in advance for confirmation.

Address: 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JR

The church has the only stained glass windows that survived the Scottish Reformation intact.

#11. Stop by the Royal Bank of Scotland, Dundas House

Located in the New Town, Dundas House is the registered office of the Royal Bank of Scotland, dating back to the late 18th century.

Originally, the residence was designed for a wealthy landowner and merchant, Sir Lawrence Dundas, to reflect his status and wealth.

The wonderful Neoclassical building is a category A listed building that, over the centuries, has become a significant landmark, yet many visitors to Edinburgh often miss it.

One of the main attractions in the building is the starry domed ceiling created by John Dick Peddie in 1857 as well as the ornate entrance hall.

Where to find it: 36 St Andrew Square, New Town, Edinburgh

*Know before you go – As this is a bank, it has hours of operation: Monday-Friday from 9:15 – 5:30

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Now, over to you!

Have you been to Edinburgh? Let us know in the comments!

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11 Beautiful Hidden Gems in Edinburgh, Scotland Even Locals Don’t Know – OUR CROSSINGS

Discover Hidden Gems in Edinburgh – Unveiling the City’s Best Kept Secrets

#1. Walk the Scotsman Steps

#2. Visit Dean Village to See St. Bernard’s Well

#3. Step back in Time and visit Lauriston Castle

#4. Climb on St. Giles’ Cathedral roof

#5. Visit the Scottish Parliament

#6. Stop By a Cemetery

#7. Go on a Self-Guided Trainspotting Tour

#8. Be in awe of Mansfield Traquair Centre

#9. Visit Gladstone’s Land on the Royal Mile

#10. Visit the 16th-century Magdalen Chapel

#11. Stop by the Royal Bank of Scotland, Dundas House

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